—-TIER ONE: CONTENDERS
These teams are making a run for TGS 2.0’s inaugural championship. With how they have started out of the gates, any thing short of a deep playoff run would be disappointing.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 58-29 (1st NL)
A team build with machinelike efficiency, they’re first in ERA, suppressing runs and specifically the longball by virtue of the league’s best rotation- all southpaws and headlined by a pair or Cy Young Candidates in Riley Hawkinson and Rhys Dunfee. The offense is predicated upon a hit parade, slapping the ball where the defense ain’t. They’re built to win now, and oh yeah, they’ve also got the twelfth ranked farm system- so they’re built to last, too.
NEW YORK YANKEES 55-34 (1st AL)
The Yankees are good but not great in most facets of the game, leaning on an elite bullpen to win close games. Their record is the best in the American League going into the All-Star break, but more importantly, their bottom line is flush with cash, as they pile up revenue with their priority rallying the fanbase around them.
CLEVELAND SPIDERS 54-34 (2nd AL)
A highly efficient offense predicated on contact and improvement in baserunning would help the Spiders score even more runs despite a lack of thump, epitomized by MVP candidate Lorenzo Pereira. The pitching staff is very good, with a focus on limiting damage: There’s not a lot of homers in Cleveland games, not for either team. The bullpen has been somewhat porous, but that’s an easy spot to upgrade at the deadline if the team is so inclined.
DETROIT TIGERS 54-35 (3rd AL)
Pitching and patience are the name of the game in the Motor City, where the offense works the count as well as anyone, wearing down opponents pitching while their own arms stay strong. Ace Grayson Jeffreys has been dominant thus far, really setting the tone for a team that’s seem a lot of roster turnover in the first half of the season. Moving veterans has been productive though: The Tigers boast the #9 farm system while simultaneously sitting nearly 20 games over .500%
TORONTO BLUE JAYS 54-36 (4th AL)
Canada’s nine all-stars are headlined by a pair of Aces, Jordan Schwarts and Ethan Carberry; It’s the sort of rotation nobody wants to see in a playoff series. There are no slouches in the lineup either, formidable up and down the roster: Felix Savidge has 26 dingers and there’s three more sluggers with 17+ in the heart of the north.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 51-39 (2nd NL)
The Nats can slug with anybody in baseball- MVP Candidate Greg Alverson has already rung up thirty dingers on the season, while 3B Wes Lubner has 20, and CF Paydirt Ricardo Schultz has 19. It’s a fearsome batting order supplemented by a capable rotation and a very good bullpen, making Washington an obvious contender.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES 51-37 (5th AL)
The Orioles have the best on base percentage in the league, pacing the league in batter WAR while simultaneously having the best defensive efficiency in baseball. A lot of that can be attributed to the league’s best keystoner, Ozzy Padilla an MVP candidate adding value with everything he does. Ace Borg Kinne has been among the very best pitchers in baseball, and while the rest of the rotation cannot match his excellence, as a unit they’ve given up the fewest hits in baseball to date.
MINNESOTA TWINS 51-37 (6th AL)
The Twins are pulling lots of chicks because long balls? They got more than anybody. Just about everyone in the lineup is on a mission to deliver souvenirs, but it’s the Octopus Raul Sanz that’s really been thriving the most, putting up an elite triple slash, to say nothing of his high-end wheels. The pitching staff hasn’t been much help, but it hasn’t hurt the team so far- will we see a flurry of trades to get some new arms in the twin cities before the deadline?
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 50-39 (3rd NL)
The Snakes lead the league in steals, with four players scoring double digit thefts, outfielders Eric Cappadonia and Iggy Sanchez boasting 27 apiece. Their group of pitchers are among the best in baseball at just about everything, with Ace Kellan Mannlein showing the way: inducing a LOT of groundballs, more than anyone else in baseball so far.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS 46-42 (7th AL)
The A’s bloated payroll has scored more runs than anyone in baseball as the oldest team in baseball makes its go of things. A pair of elite hitters (Anthony Kerewi and Wayne Adams) set the tone in Oakland as they seek to outbash the enemy. Despite drafting a plethora of veteran pitchers, the team’s pitching has underwhelmed, really undermining the team’s aspiration of filling the stadium at fifty-five dollars a pop.
TAMPA BAY RAYS 47-43 (8th AL)
The Rays pitching staff ought to be getting better results than they are, leading the league in strikeouts, K:BB, strand rate, and with a defense that boasts the fewest errors in the league… but the run prevention has been ho-hum, mostly due to proclivity for serving up taters. All-World Closer Rod Boatwright has not been immune, although that may be due to his aggressive usage. Regardless, if they can turn that trend around in the second half, stud right fielder Rogelilo Menendez could have this very young team right in the thick of things.
—-TIER TWO: HEDGED BETS
These teams are competing in the early going, but have not pushed all their chips to the middle of the table. Some may end up selling, some may end up buying in, but for now they’re still finding their footing.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 47-41 (4th NL)
Down by the bay San Fran has the league’s best armbarn, limiting free passes better than anyone while still piling up strikeouts. The offense is intensely three outcomes based, with the team ignoring contact and looking for pitches to feed to fish; Somehow, despite leading the NL in walks their OBP is 8th worst in the league. They’re in playoff position though- so old school thinkers can uh, eat it.
SAN DIEGO PADRES 48-42 (6th NL)
Cy Young Candidate Ernie Heckel leads a strong pitching staff and adequate bullpen, but the Padres are somewhat punchless at the plate. A strong June has them in position to make moves in a wide-open National League, with plenty of payroll space to play with- 3rd most in the league, most among teams with winning records. They should probably put their two most irritating players on either side of Kevin Dote’s locker to inspire him to retire at the end of the year.
CHICAGO CUBS 47-42 (6th NL)
The Cubs just rescued Ray Sims from the South Side, where the hurler will try to build up his case for a big free agent payday; It’s an indication that these Cubbies are going for it. To date they’ve won more than the numbers say they should- their biggest weakness (serving up longballs) is somewhat nullified by limiting walks and adequate run prevention. If they catch lightning in a bottle this year, great! If not, they still have the #7 farm system rising through the ranks.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS 46-43 (7th NL)
Drake Palantingal’s torn hamstring is a challenge for the Dodgers, who remain in the hunt in a wide-open National League, but will be without their best player for at least another month. This is a team that is above average in most facets of the game, but curiously has been starving for runs despite a plus approach at the plate. The pitching won’t overpower anybody, but they get the job done.
NASHVILLE STARS 44-44 (9th AL)
The Stars are exceptional at not striking out, using a slap hitting approach and speed to score runs, then relying on a rotation that is superlative in run suppression and an extremely efficient defense to clean things up. This is not an offense that is intimidating anybody, but they’re sure to be irritating! As they fall out of the race expect other veteran pieces to follow Don Raw out of town before the deadline.
COLORADO ROCKIES 44-45 (8th NL)
Inevitably the purple team is a product of their environment, where they lead the league in extra base hits, paced but the uncanny chisel, outfielder Geraldo Medrano. While the pitching is predictably uninspiring (outside of closer Slippery Alvarez) the team’s defense has been otherworldly with the best net zone rating in the league. With the #8 Farm System stocked with eight top 100 pitching prospects all set for arrival in the next year, the Rox should be in business sooner rather than later.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS 44-46 (10th AL)
The Royals boast young superstars in centerfield (BJ Lint) and at shortstop (Luke Sternberg) and an Ace coming into his prime (Gene Lyons) so the future is very bright, with KC on the cusp of it… maybe as soon as 2023. Without a lot of obvious trade assets, this a team that might be best served taking their lumps, learning their lessons, and building towards a nearly imminent ascension.
CINCINNATI REDS 43-46 (9th NL)
Boasting the #4 farm system in the league, they’ve hung around through grit and determination rather than any discernible strong points. While making a token effort at competing until the deadline to draw fans is fine, expect Cincy to spin off some of their veterans as their gaze shifts to the future.
SEATTLE MARINERS 43-46 (11th AL)
The M’s have been floating around .500 despite a dismal April; there’s been plenty of fireworks in the Northwest as the team has been ringing dingers at a slightly higher pace than they’ve been giving them up- all the walks their batters have piled up have helped. With a few moves this team might have a run in them- but as presently constructed there’s not a lot of title talk.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS 40-47 (11th NL)
The Brew Crew’s quality approach has led to night OBP and slugging numbers, but not nice enough to outhit a lackluster pitching staff that collapsed in a nightmare June that saw the team go 8-18. With one of the oldest teams in the game and no blue-chip prospects to speak of, a Milwaukee fire sale could reap rewards if the team decides to move on it.
FLORIDA MARLINS 40-49 (12th NL)
The Fish are a bit of an enigma, with a potent offense that leads the league in hits, batting average, doubles, and hey, for good measure, sac flies. It is a unique approach, but one that has been failed by a pitching staff that has not done them any favors and has them sitting 9 games under the water. The OSA doesn’t regard the farm very nicely, but most of their pitchers have untapped potential so if they can take a collective step forward this very young team could still surprise people.
—-TIER THREE: BUILDING SOMETHING
These squads are not aiming for a playoff run in year one, they’re looking to set a foundation for the long haul. Overt sellers and unbashful tankers, it’s all about the process for these teams right now.
ATLANTA HAMMERS 43-46 (10th NL)
With the #3 farm the Hammers are clearly built for the future, but they’re also hanging tough in the present; With a veteran lineup and a group of young pitchers with upside, they could decide to shoot for a wild card and see what happens, but they might be able to add to their rich prospect pool if they move some hitters by the deadline.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 39-51 (12th AL)
The White Sox are first in turning double plays… so… that’s something for now! After moving Ace Ray Sims and slugging outfielder Shawn Drobot (and inviting criticism for their light return) the team’s belief in their #10 ranked farm might be better than the consensus. Either way, the Pale Hose have their eye on opening a window in some subsequent year, not this year.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES 37-52 (13th NL)
The Buccos are finding ways to score runs and putting guys on the mound that are rarely embarrassing, just sort of existing as an inoffensive and reasonably profitable afterthought. Adding Aldo Liriano and extending Rich Christ, Pittsburgh seems intent on competing sooner rather than later: expecting more dough than the other builders, and with a farm stocked with some promising young arms, you don’t have to squint too much to see a destination.
PORTLAND BEAVERS 36-53 (13th AL)
The Beavers farm is mostly the story of one young man, #1 overall prospect Logan Voisine, who went 6th overall despite tearing his labrum near the end of his senior year of high school. If the Beavers want to put eggs in other baskets, SS/CF Fabian Buitron might be the guy to trade; Meanwhile, an extension for shortstop Marty Booker is imperative- if he won’t stay, the Beavers might have to deal him just to get something for the gold glover.
NEW YORK METS 34-53 (14th NL)
With their new vacancy in the GM chair, the Mets are a squad that could really benefit from an aggressive fire sale, as their major league roster is stocked with adequate to plus contributors on the wrong side of thirty, and even moving a few of them could boost a farm that is already rated fifth best in the league. It might take retaining 50% on some good players with bad contracts, but a reboot in Queens should be the first order of business.
BOSTON RED SOX 33-55 (14th AL)
The youngest team in the show has the #2 farm system and boasts FIVE of the top SIX hitting prospects in baseball: Pablo Castellanos, Jimmy Reaser, Mike Bruton, Rico Segura and “Mr 51 Mil” Victor Acevedo. As they start arriving, look for the team to use its surplus funds on free agents instead of IAFA, where they’ll be dealing with some sanctions after overspending by like 1200% in 2022.
ST LOUIS CARDINALS 28-59 (15th NL)
There were no expectations in St Louis this year, as the long-term plan is a homegrown juggernaut that remains slumbering. The number one farm system (and it is not even close!) probably won’t be adding to the top of its collection this year as they lack any sort of premier trade chips, but that’s okay. They’ve got everything they need… sixteen top 100 prospects, already marinating.
CALIFORNIA ANGELS 23-65 (15th AL)
The Halos #6 ranks farm system is banking on a trio of blue-chippers: Pitcher Ryan Agostino, Third Baseman Brady Mass, and Centerfielder Plinio Ocampo to join some young studs (Calvin McKinney, Yusniel Estrada, etc) to turn this ship around. Concerns about their clubhouse are high, but sitting 42 games under .500% will turn the heat up on anybody, even Angels.